01 How Far Away?

Tigers at Twilight

Chapter 01 How Far Away? Jack and Annie walked past the Frog Creek woods on their way home from the library. “ I miss Teddy, ” said Annie. “ Me, too, ” said Jack. “ He’s a really smart dog, ” said Annie. “ Yeah, ” said Jack, “ and brave. ” “ And wise, ” said Annie. “ And funny, ” said Jack. “ And here! ” said Annie. “ What?” said Jack.

“ Here! ” Annie pointed at the Frog Creek woods. A small dog with tan-colored fur was peeking out from the bushes. Arf! Arf! he barked. “ Oh, wow! Teddy! ” said Jack.

The little dog ran off into the woods. “ Let’s go! ” said Annie. She and Jack raced after Teddy. The Frog Creek woods glowed with late afternoon sunlight.

The dog ran between the trees and finally stopped at a rope ladder. It hung from the tallest oak tree and led up to the magic tree house. Teddy waited for Jack and Annie to catch up. He panted and wagged his tail. “ Hi, you! ” cried Annie. She picked up the little dog and hugged him. “ We missed you! ” “ Yeah, silly! ” said Jack. He kissed Teddy. Teddy licked his face. “ Is it time to get our third gift?” asked Annie. Teddy sneezed, as if to say, Of course! Annie grabbed the rope ladder and started up. Jack put Teddy inside his backpack and followed. They climbed into the tree house. There was the note from Morgan le Fay. It was on the floor, just where it had been two days ago.

Jack let Teddy out of his pack. Annie picked up the note and read: This little dog is under a spell and needs your help. To free him, you must be given four special things: A gift from a ship lost at sea, A gift from the prairie blue, A gift from a forest far away, A gift from a kangaroo. Be wise. Be brave. Be careful. Morgan Jack touched the first two gifts, which they had already gotten: a pocket watch from the Titanic and an eagle’s feather from the Lakota Indians of the Great Plains. “ Now we have to get the gift from a forest far away, ” said Annie.